NCAA Lacrosse Championship 2026 Betting Preview: Odds, Predictions, & Picks

Syracuse Orange (+450)

Syracuse are expected to be back in the mix but will need to find a way past Maryland. They passed the first test in an early-season showdown against the Terrapins. On home field, Syracuse edged out Maryland by a score of 11-9 in payback from last year’s results.

The Orange were outplayed in a 14-8 semifinal loss, as Spallina never looked comfortable and was neutralized by the Terrapins’ lockdown defense. It was still a quality season, which included an ACC Championship.

The All-American attacker led Syracuse with 90 points and was vital both as a finisher and a creator. Spallina tallied 35 goals and 55 assists in a superb campaign. The senior from Mount Sinai is one of the leading candidates for the Tewaaraton Award, given to the best men’s college lacrosse player.

Is anyone stopping him?

After leading @CuseMLAX back to the final four and with hopes of delivering the Orange's first NCAA title since 2009, Tewaaraton favorite Joey Spallina is our Preseason Player of the Year. pic.twitter.com/zZZqjlAkcO

— USA Lacrosse Magazine (@USALMag) January 22, 2026

However, Spallina will have to do it without Owen Hiltz. Hiltz played a major role in Syracuse’s success offensively last season. He led Syracuse with 46 goals and was the team captain for the Orange. Hiltz’s impact went beyond the field, as he was a vocal leader in the locker room as well.

Syracuse’s defense could have been stronger in 2025, and I see no indications they’ll improve drastically. They finished 29th in the NCAA, with 10.37 goals against per game. I want to see more intensity from Gary Gait’s group on the defensive end this year. If not, they are going to face a similar fate with a loss in the playoffs.

Nevertheless, it’s a strong start for Syracuse overall, as they’re 3-0, with 44 goals scored to 16 goals against. They opened the season with a solid 13-6 win over ranked Boston College before demolishing Saint Joseph’s in a 20-2 final. The Orange’s 11-9 win against Maryland might be the most satisfying, though.

They’re firing out of the gates on both ends of the field, but it’s way too early to give Syracuse the title yet.

Maryland Terrapins (+550)

Maryland returns to the field eyeing redemption after faltering in the national championship last season. They enter as the clear favorites to win the Big Ten Championship and have the edge in the national title betting markets.

The Terrapins entered the season ranked No. 1 in the USA Lacrosse Preseason Top 20. The loss to Syracuse will send them to No. 2, though a competitive loss on the road in a difficult environment won’t send them freefalling. They remain one of the top teams and it could have been a different ending if the game was played anywhere else than the JMA Wireless Dome.

Last year, Maryland went 14-4 and second in total team defense. Their defense was suffocating and didn’t allow opponents to get comfortable. Setting up and finding lanes against Maryland’s defense can prove to be problematic.

They finished second in the nation, yielding an average of 8.11 goals per game. Only Army conceded fewer goals, though their schedule wasn’t as tough as the Terrapins in the Big Ten. Head coach John Tillman’s system will once again feature a physical unit that closes passing lanes and doesn’t give up many inches.

Will. Schaller. https://t.co/sSxNyVo0cO pic.twitter.com/UHZke8y0Lh

— Maryland Men's Lacrosse (@TerpsMLax) March 1, 2025

The Terrapins welcome back a host of impact players from the 2025 team, none bigger than Will Schaller, the best lockdown defender in the nation. He is one of the few players in the NCAA who can shut down a high-caliber playmaker like Syracuse’s Joey Spallina, holding him to zero goals in the NCAA Tournament last season.

Leading goalscorer and points leader Eric Spanos is also back for the Terrapins. Along with senior Braden Erksa, Maryland returns two of its top three forwards from the 2025 team. Losing Logan McNally hurts, but they loaded up in the transfer portal.

All things considered, Maryland will be a major threat, and another trip to the national title game could be in the cards. I’m not concerned by the loss to Syracuse in a matchup that could have gone in either direction. The Terrapins are going to be in good shape when it matters the most later this year.

Princeton Tigers (+750)

Princeton has to be considered a dangerous team that should contend throughout the season. However, the Tigers will need to be much better than they were in their season opener.

They suffered a 13-7 upset to No. 14 ranked Penn State in a game the Nittany Lions controlled from start to finish. It was a statement win for Penn State, who caught Princeton napping to open the year. Nevertheless, public sentiment from bettors didn’t drop on Princeton.

In fact, the Tigers’ 2026 NCAA Lacrosse Championship odds improved from +800 to +750. In 2025, Princeton fell just short of Championship Weekend in a heartbreaking 19–18 loss to Syracuse. That defeat to one of the top programs still left them with plenty of confidence heading into 2026.

Princeton returns its top attackmen from last year: Colin Burns, Nate Kabiri, and Peter Buonanno. However, the Tigers said goodbye to leading goalscorer Coulter Mackesy. With 40 goals in 2024 and 44 in 2025, that’s a massive amount of production to replace.

Kabiri with the STINGER. pic.twitter.com/QSzqGxqRhi

— Princeton Men's Lacrosse (@TigerLacrosse) February 14, 2026

The rest of the core is back, but Mackesy’s absence leaves a gaping hole in the lineup. This is still one of the best teams in college lacrosse, but I’m not eager to include them in my men’s NCAA Lacrosse Championship picks right now.